Here’s the secret…Take hold of your thoughts before they take hold of you!

Last week a coaching client cancelled our scheduled call. Having a string of departing employees, and returning from a week’s absence, he found himself with “too many tasks to do”. I responded,

Hello Bob (not his real name) ~
I am sorry to hear that you continue to experience turnover problems. And I know how overwhelming it can feel to have lots of ‘catch-up’ after a vacation.

My only concern is that your leadership growth will require you to move into a strategic mindset. As such, this might be the best time for us to talk. Is it possible for you to put aside 30 or 60 minutes to reflect and ‘think out loud’ with me…to step back from the ‘gerbil-on-the-wheel’ syndrome?

In challenging you to look at your decision to reschedule, I am only doing my ‘job’ to hold up the mirror and encourage you to do things differently. That said, I will defer to you with all my support.

Keep in mind that Bob cancelled several days in advance so that was not the issue. The real problem emerged in his next email.

“I don't really think it will help. I don't believe things will change. If I had a plan in place, I would lock the doors today and never go back.”

From time to time we all experience negative thoughts as well as angry or depressing feelings. Ups and downs are a part of life. But it is important to maintain a healthy perspective and a hopeful outlook. Not that smiling and thinking positive thoughts will increase your revenue overnight, but you will affect your bottom line by being mindful of your mental and emotional energy.

Just like physical exercise, mental agility requires dedication and practice. It begins when you think about what you have instead of how bad things are.

I recently saw a new movie, The Secret. Similar to the 2004 film, What the Bleep Do We Know, it embodies a dimension of ‘energy psychology’. Yes, scientific research is now proving that thoughts have energy! The way it works is that we operate our lives based on assumptions, our mental models. These are the ‘rules’ we follow to make decisions and choices in our life. For the most part, assumptions are unspoken and operate at a subconscious or even an unconscious level. What you believe and expect ultimately becomes your reality. Henry Ford said it best: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

Your beliefs inherently are the foundation of everything that happens to you in life!

If you focus on problems and obstacles, you will find yourself moving further into a downward spiral. But when you appreciate what you already have, you attract more of the same. When you amplify your strengths and create images of where you want to go, that energy propels you to new levels of success and achievement.

So start the gratitude process today! Take a look at what is right. Value those gifts no matter how small. Appreciation stirs our feelings, excites our curiosity, and provides inspiration to the envisioning mind. It draws our eye toward the essentials of life.

Rid yourself of quick judgments, fixed perspectives, and old opinions. Make room for discovery and innovation. The ability to open your thinking to different views, to connect with other people, and to shake outmoded paradigms is within you when you adopt the spirit of appreciation.

Set aside five minutes everyday. During that time, imagine that everything you want for yourself and your practice has become a reality. Concentrate and focus on the details. Once you have captured the specifics, imagine how you might feel waking up in the morning. In your mind’s eye, notice how you would respond to people at home and at the office. Picture yourself driving to work and what differences there would be. How would you respond to traffic or aggressive drivers? How would you talk with your staff? What kind of expression would be on your face as you worked? Make your visualization come alive.

Now implement one of these behaviors today. Whether it is greater emotional composure or more encouraging remarks to others, the impact of just one small modification holds tremendous possibility. If you are having trouble doing this on your own, seek the help of a ‘coach’. Just as physical trainers improve performance in athletic competitions, coaching offers ways to enhance professional effectiveness.

Imagine what might be.
Determine what should be.
Be a part of creating what will be.

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